Agenda

Motion to Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill

Proposed by Mr Paul Stepto and Seconded by Mr Steve Campkin

Background Information – supplied by the Green & Independent Group

Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt in the UK and around the world. Global temperatures have increased by 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Atmospheric CO₂ levels are above 400 parts per million (ppm) and continue to rise. This far exceeds the 350 ppm deemed to be a safe level for humanity. The current UK target of net zero by 2050 is not satisfactory because the damage already done will be irreversible.

Without more significant and sustained action, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit between 2030 and 2040.The increase in harm caused by a rise of 2°C rather than 1.5°C is significant. This is described by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C published in October 2018. According to the IPCC, limiting heating to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector and local communities. The costs of failing to address this crisis will far outstrip the investments required to prevent it. Investing now will bring many benefits in the form of good jobs, breathable air in cities and thriving communities.

The Council is asked to take into account that;

1.    This council has recognised the UK climate emergency;

2.    There is a Bill before Parliament—the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (published as the “Climate and Ecology Bill”)—according to which the Government must develop an emergency strategy that:

a.    requires that the UK plays its fair and proper role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial temperatures;

b.    ensures that all the UK’s consumption emissions are accounted for;

c.    includes emissions from aviation and shipping;

d.    protects and restores biodiverse habitats along overseas supply chains;

e.    restores and regenerates the UK’s depleted soils, wildlife habitats and species populations to healthy and robust states, maximising their capacity to absorb CO₂ and their resistance to climate heating;

f.     sets up an independent Citizens’ Assembly, representative of the UK’s population, to engage with Parliament and Government and help develop the emergency strategy.

3.    118 Councils have passed motions in support of the CEE Bill.

Motion

Kent County Council shows itssupport for the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill by requesting that the Cabinet Member for Environment;

1.    Promotes this council’s support of the Bill to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, as well as to the local media.

2.    Writes to Kent MPs, asking them to show support for the Bill.

Motion to Support our Kent Carers

Proposed by Mrs Kelly Grehan and seconded by Mrs Jackie Meade

Background Information – supplied by the Labour Group 

Across the UK it is estimated that there are 13.6 million  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.